Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Political Science
4-Year Degree Plan [Sample]
Degree Requirements (120 cr.)
All courses are 3 credit hours, unless otherwise designated.
Course Requirements (30 cr.)
- POLS-Y 490 Senior Seminar in Political Science (required of all majors)
Senior Seminar Portfolio |
Students enrolled in POLS-Y 490 Senior Seminar in Political Science must submit a portfolio at the end of the semester they are enrolled in Senior Seminar. The portfolio is submitted to the instructor of the Senior Seminar course at the same time final drafts of the Senior Seminar paper are submitted. In no way does the portfolio affect students’ grades. Instead, it is used to assess departmental goals and objectives. The portfolio should include the following three items: 1) One of the first papers written by the student in political science; 2) The final draft of the senior seminar paper; and 3) A brief student reflection that is guided by questions to be provided by the Senior Seminar instructor. Students who have questions regarding the portfolio are invited to see any faculty member of the department.
No more than 9 credit hours of 100-level courses may be included in the 30 credit hours. Students must complete at least one course from three of the four sub-areas:
American Government
- POLS-Y 103 Introduction to American Politics
- POLS-Y 200 Contemporary Political Topics
- POLS-Y 201 Controversies in United States Politics
- POLS-Y 301 Political Parties and Interest Groups
- POLS-Y 304 Constitutional Law
- POLS-Y 316 Public Opinion and Political Participation
- POLS-Y 317 Voting, Elections, and Public Opinion
- POLS-Y 318 The American Presidency
- POLS-Y 319 The United States Congress
- POLS-Y 327 Gender Politics in the United States
- POLS-Y 329 Racial and Ethnic Politics in the United States
Comparative or International Politics
- GEOG-G 313 Political Geography
- POLS-Y 107 Introduction to Comparative Politics
- POLS-Y 109 Introduction to International Relations
- POLS-Y 311 Democracy and National Security
- POLS-Y 324 Women and Politics
- POLS-Y 330 Central American Politics
- POLS-Y 335 Western European Politics
- POLS-Y 337 Latin American Politics
- POLS-Y 343 The Politics of International Development
- POLS-Y 350 Politics of the European Union
- POLS-Y 362 International Politics in Selected Regions
- POLS-Y 371 Workshop in International Topics
VT: Terrorism and Political Violence - POLS-Y 376 International Political Economy
- POLS-Y 488 Study Abroad in Political Science
Political Theory
- POLS-Y 381 History of Political Theory I
- POLS-Y 382 History of Political Theory II
- POLS-Y 383 Foundations of American Political Thought
- POLS-Y 384 Developments in American Political Thought
Public Affairs
- POLS-Y 115 Environment and People
- POLS-Y 120 Public Affairs
- POLS-Y 235 Introduction to Public Management
- POLS-Y 357 Introduction to Nonprofit Management
- POLS-Y 358 Human Behavior and Public Organizations
- POLS-Y 359 Economics and Public Management
- POLS-Y 387 Research Methods in Political Science
- POLS-Y 396 Law and Public Affairs
- POLS-Y 425 Public Sector Labor Relations
- POLS-Y 430 Introduction to Public Policy
The sub-area of the following courses varies depending on the section number and instructor. Accordingly, students should consult with their departmental advisor.
- POLS-B 190 Human Behavior & Social Institutions
- POLS-B 399 Human Behavior & Social Institutions
- POLS-Y 380 Selected Topics of Democratic Government
Minor in Political Science
Minor Requirements
All courses are 3 credit hours, unless otherwise designated.
Students wishing to earn a minor in political science should consult with an advisor in the department. They must complete 15 credit hours in political science courses, of which no more than 6 credit hours may be at the
100-level. Generally, the department recommends that students complete at least one course from three of the four sub-areas:
- American government
- Comparative or international politics
- Political theory
- Public administration